Physics & Astronomy ETDs

Publication Date

Summer 7-28-2026

Abstract

This dissertation explores control of neutral atom quantum systems across multiple levels of abstraction, from atomic physics to system-level fault tolerance, using optimal control to improve performance. First, we propose a Rydberg entangling gate based on dressing with only the qubit control field; an interaction energy near the Rabi frequency benefits both gate speed and Rydberg decay. Second, with Sandia National Laboratories, we show that leakage errors in neutral atom systems can be converted to atom loss errors and detected using two entangling gates with an auxiliary atom, where a SWAP-based leakage detection unit outperforms the standard design. Next, we consider qudits of arbitrary dimension encoded in the collective spin of many Rydberg qubits within collective blockade, showing that Arbitrary Phase Gates implemented via the Rydberg lasers, combined with collective spin rotation, implement any qudit operation. We similarly consider all-optical control of the nuclear spin of an alkaline earth atom: coupling the ground state to the intercombination line via circularly polarized light induces vector and tensor light shifts, and modulating two beams implements the qudit operation.

Degree Name

Physics

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Physics & Astronomy

First Committee Member (Chair)

Ivan H. Deutsch

Second Committee Member

Yuan-Yu Jau

Third Committee Member

Michael J. Martin

Fourth Committee Member

Milad Marvian

Language

English

Keywords

Quantum computing, Neutral atoms, Leakage errors, Rydberg gates, Qudits, Quantum optimal control

Document Type

Dissertation

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